Blackbeard hadn't expected Ziye to understand, chuckling, "Have you forgotten? I was once the president of the Asteroid Merchants' Guild."

Ziye instantly grasped it and smiled brightly, "I won't steal your specialty."

Speaking of specialties, she suddenly remembered that while she lacked others, she was an absolute professional when it came to metal detection.

Coincidentally, Little Sprout was present. She had it update the detection robots’ programming, dispatching them to survey the unknown galaxy behind the asteroid and the Wolf's Den for metal. This would not only save on material costs for constructing the space station but also generate income.

The cloud of worry vanished from Ziye’s face, and she became excited, "I know how to make money! Send two hundred detection robots to the Xilian Galaxy for me; I’ll have them start searching for metal."

The two split up to handle their tasks.

Ziye paused to think, then borrowed troops from Red Hair.

The Hope Legion's army had major systemic issues: insufficient physical stamina, lagging combat effectiveness, and a lack of competent generals, making them as scattered as loose sand. After Red Hair took command, he immediately sent them to the base for intensive training.

With limited personnel on hand, Ziye directly requested to borrow them, assigning them to be led by the professional resource surveying teams, who would take the Sprout Group’s detection robots out.

Having settled that, she sent an email to Big Hair, suggesting that personnel in non-critical positions within the legion should find ways to earn money. Specialists like Ah Can and Dead Pervert could easily earn hundreds of thousands or millions from a single patented technology or specialized equipment. Those without technical skills could sell their services; if they lacked even abilities, they could clone themselves and sell their bodies—ahem...

More revenue streams meant more funds to assemble the air force workshop.

Little Sprout was perched on Ziye’s head. Seeing her completely absorbed by the pursuit of money, it poked her cheek with a tiny sprout, "Hey, you dummy!"

Ziye snapped back to reality, suddenly remembering something. She reached up and snatched it down from her head, exclaiming excitedly, "Dou-Dou, how about you start producing and selling warship systems? High-quality systems go for five million each. If we get a hundred orders, that's another huge income stream for us!"

Little Sprout spun around and flew off.

Ziye was too ruthless; she wouldn't even spare it—whimpers.

Ziye chased after it, shouting, "You can sell the blueprints too!"

Just as she was speaking, her Ultra-Com chimed.

Ziye assumed Tang Wan had arrived and happily greeted it, "Hi, where are you?"

The voice that answered belonged to An Junlie, "I've reached the Xilian Galaxy. Where are you? Send the coordinates."

Ziye froze for a moment, then boomed, "Why are you coming over here? I hate you!"

An Junlie was bewildered.

He thought for a moment. He couldn't recall offending Ziye in any way. Why was she so angry?

Ziye grew even angrier, "I don't need you here at all. Go do whatever you want!" With that, she cut the Ultra-Com, fuming, "Let's go find Halley. If Halley can’t think of a way to make money, we’ll make him sell himself!"

Little Sprout, oblivious to the danger, chuckled, "Ziye has gone berserk. Run!"

Ziye’s hands shot out, snatching it mid-air, "Don't even think about escaping."

Little Sprout looked utterly innocent, "Poor me, turned into a punching bag again."

However, it was not about to willingly let Ziye squeeze it for fun.

It didn't matter if Ziye refused to send the coordinates to An Junlie. It could do it on her behalf.

Ziye composed herself and headed with Little Sprout, Douzai, and Halley to inspect the space station construction site. Ersi and several engineers accompanied them, recording Ziye's requirements for the space assembly workshop.

The initial budget allowed for the simultaneous construction of three assembly workshops to form a specialized, streamlined operation. However, due to insufficient funds, Ziye made a firm decision: she scrapped the other two workshops. "We will only build one, and it must be built to the highest interstellar standard."

Surprisingly, many of the audience members from the shipyard exit hall that morning followed them over to watch. Some even expressed an immediate desire to invest.

Ziye was ecstatic and told Halley, "This is yours to manage."

Halley suddenly had an intense urge to beat Ziye into a pulp. —He knew absolutely nothing about this stuff! There were specialized people for these matters!

Ziye squinted at him, "Who was born knowing everything?"

Halley felt incredibly frustrated.

He pulled out his Ultra-Com and dialed a number, "The person in charge of fundraising—send someone over to handle the investment for the Xilian Galaxy."

The Investment Group personnel were used to being arrogant. Being referred to as the 'fundraising person' for the first time made their noses twitch with anger. "Who is this?"

Halley replied coldly, "Assistant Director of the Strategic Weapons Department. Do you have an issue?"

The title of Assistant Director represented the entire department.

The Investment Group staff instantly broke out in a cold sweat. The Strategic Weapons Department—those were practically the founding fathers!

Insufficient funds? Give the money to the Strategic Weapons Department first. Surplus funds? Just let the Strategic Weapons Department spend it.

Good heavens, the Strategic Weapons Department was basically a heavenly overlord.

No matter how much resentment the Investment Group staff harbored, they dared not delay. They scurried over and sent a manager. Halley stood with a stern face, watching the manager ensure every single detail was executed flawlessly.

That manager was nearly in tears.

He, a manager of considerable standing, was accustomed to sending others running errands; now he was the one running errands. Moreover, there was a tall, imposing man standing rigidly, staring intently with a gun holstered at his side. That imposing aura almost scared the manager into wetting himself.

After finishing the task, the manager immediately called the Group via Ultra-Com to complain, "Didn't you say the Strategic Weapons Department was easygoing? How are they easygoing?"

The Group President chuckled, "It’s just one errand. Can't you handle this little bit of hardship? Besides, the Director of Strategic Weapons is the mildest among all departments. Are you still complaining?"

Manager: "..." He felt like just running headfirst into a wall.

After finishing her work, Ziye saw Halley closely supervising the investment manager. She beckoned Halley over and curled her fingers at him.

Halley lowered his head slightly, unsure of her meaning.

Ziye grabbed both his cheeks and squeezed tightly, "Why are you so fierce? You’ve scared everyone away!"

Halley calmly straightened up and said coldly, "Our Strategic Weapons Department should look like the Strategic Weapons Department. How can we let others look down on us?"

Ziye: "..."

Why did she suddenly feel like Halley deserved a good beating?

Just as she was about to speak, she felt someone watching her from behind. She turned slightly and saw An Junlie, followed by a squad of men.

Ziye pretended not to see him and turned away, walking toward the rear.

An Junlie rushed forward and grabbed her hand, "Little Sister, what's wrong?"

Ziye glared fiercely at him, "Let go."

An Junlie was completely perplexed.

He walked in front of Ziye and pulled her into an embrace. Suddenly, a hand shot out from the side, blocking An Junlie, "Let go!"

An Junlie looked up, saw Halley, whom he didn't recognize, and asked Ziye, "Who is he?"

Ziye turned her head away, "None of your business."

An Junlie immediately sensed a threat, "Who are you?"

Halley replied coldly, "It’s none of your concern."

An Junlie’s expression darkened.

Halley, bold as a newborn calf, held firm to the principle that no matter what, he was Ziye's assistant and absolutely could not yield. He stepped forward, "Release her!"

Ziye could barely watch. Halley was an idiot, no other explanation.

But she didn't want to deal with An Junlie at all. What should she do?

As the two stood in a standoff, Little Sprout zipped over with a 'whoosh' and landed squarely on An Junlie’s head. It rolled happily, smiled at Halley, but spoke to An Junlie, "Hi, alien, long time no see. Are your muscles still good?"

An Junlie's expression softened slightly. "Do you know who he is?"

Little Sprout chirped playfully, "He’s Ziye’s assistant. How about that? Pretty good, huh?"

An Junlie massaged his forehead, "Ziye didn't pick him herself, did she?"

Little Sprout ignored him and started rolling around on his head.

Its interruption managed to ease the tension between the two slightly.

Seeing Ziye turn and walk away, An Junlie disregarded Halley, dashed forward, and caught Ziye. Little Sprout flew up, finding nowhere to land, and settled instead on Halley's head.

Halley instinctively reached out to grab Little Sprout.

Little Sprout deftly dodged, sighing, "Why is everyone so dense? Alas, only the great me is truly smart."

Halley couldn't help but ask, "Who is he?"

Little Sprout countered, "Do you really not know?"

Halley thought for a moment, "He seems vaguely familiar."

Little Sprout shook its head and sighed, "Hopeless."

Meanwhile, An Junlie was coaxing Ziye.

In truth, An Junlie was quite puzzled; a woman's heart was like a needle at the bottom of the sea.

"Stop being angry, okay?"

Ziye looked up and glared at him, "Do you even know what I’m angry about?"

An Junlie decided to be an honest, good child, "No."

In a fit of anger, Ziye slapped his arm, then pinched the skin on the back of his hand between two fingers, twisting it into a 360-degree pretzel.

An Junlie winced in pain, but he felt that as long as Ziye was willing to engage with him, everything else was fine. No matter how she twisted it, he remained silent.

Finding it tedious to twist, Ziye kicked him once and ran off.

An Junlie took a long stride, blocking her path. Seeing that no one was paying attention to them, he simply reached out and wrapped both arms around Ziye, rubbing her head. "Are you mad because I didn't come to see you?"

Ziye glared at him, "You think I would care?"

An Junlie choked slightly, continuing his tenacious spirit, "Then you resent me for not protecting you well enough, leading to you being in danger at the Rose Garden?"

Ziye snorted heavily and turned her face away without speaking.

An Junlie kissed her cheek, "Be good, don't be angry anymore, okay? I actually came this time to discuss the Garbage Planet with you."

Ziye retorted irritably, "Discuss what?"

An Junlie said, "Sell me the mining rights for the Garbage Planet."

Ziye was displeased, "On what grounds?"

An Junlie spoke softly, "There are no grounds, just practicality. The Wolf's Den is too far from the Garbage Planet; the transportation costs for the mined materials are too high."

Ziye turned her back, "Talk to my assistant about it."

That remark was quite harsh; An Junlie felt very hurt.

He had an assistant, and his girlfriend was forgotten.

However, he thought he might finally understand why Ziye was angry with him.

Just then, his Ultra-Com rang. It was from the combat department of the Legion, "Commander, we have wiped out the entire pirate group that attacked the Rose Garden. Shall we go give the Interstellar Federation a stern talking-to?"

An Junlie replied, "Return the favor. Since they dared to bomb a Rose Garden, we'll impound one of their cargo ships."

Ziye suddenly whipped her head around to look at An Junlie, "What are you saying? 'RO'"